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A project that maintains a registry of the biggest native and naturalized tree species found in Oregon
Headwaters Heritage Initiative
OREGON BIG TREE PROJECT
"Let every tree lover, every forester, every lumberman rally…to fight for the preservation of our biggest tree specimens." Joseph Stearns, 1940
Since 1940, American Forests has maintained a National Big Tree Registry recognizing the largest known specimens of about 800 native and naturalized tree species in the United States. Oregon´s history in the Big Tree Program is not quite as clear, but information about the program dates back into the 1950s. One of the more notable events in Oregon´s Big Tree history was the Douglas-fir war between Oregon and Washington, which began just after the Columbus Day Storm in 1962 and continued until ... well ... it may not be over yet!
In 2006, the National Center for Conservation Science & Policy assumed responsibility for maintaining Oregon’s Big Tree Registry. If you would like to volunteer to help us verify new nominations, re-certify existing champions, or build our Big Tree photo library, please let us know.
Within this site you will find a discussion of the importance of big trees, a list of the champion trees located in the state of Oregon and instructions for nominating a Big Tree. Interested in a particular tree species? You can use the Oregon Big Tree Search Page to find information about all the big trees on the Oregon Register. Search by species, nominator, county – or any criteria that is available in the records.
Oregon Champion Noble Fir - Photo by Rory Nichols
